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Archive for the 'Community Events' Category
3 Cool Things to do on the “Dog Days” of Summer
July 24th, 2010
I don’t really know how the “Dog Days of Summer” came into use in the English Language – but they are defined by a number of sources as the hottest days of summer between the end of July and the start of September – so RIGHT NOW – we are experiencing those Dog Days. Some say they were named after some star constellations and others after very hot animals (specifically dogs) who couldn’t tolerate the heat very well – but wherever they came from – we all know they are HOT!…and when you’re hot, you’re hot, so here are 3 cool things to do during the Dog Days.
1. Go to your local County Fair
I know – you are thinking – how could that be cool?? While walking around looking at the “cool” animals (namely pigs, sheep, cattle, horses, goats (my personal favorite), you can be sipping a “cool” cup of homemade lemonade with a half of lemon still inside…mosey on over to the Midway and take a “cool breeze” ride on the tilt-a-whirl or sip a blueberry snow cone atop the ferris wheel! Cool off at night in the grandstands and watch your favorite country singer or a demolition derby while cooling off with ice cream drumsticks. Check this list for all the County Fairs in Michigan in 2010
2. Go look at some houses
OK – you should only do this if you want to get some “cool” deals on a home and “cool” low interest rates – the Dog Days of 2010 are going to be known for their great values. Traditionally, the real estate market slows down a little bit during the Dog Days – and this year is no exception. Our listings are getting fewer showings and the phones are not ringing as earlier in the year. Many folks are on vacation or just plain too hot to be motivated to look for a home. Check with us and we’re happy to get you in on some great values.
3. Go Jump in the Lake
Wow – this where Michigan, and especially West Michigan, really shines! Did you know Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes – this is in addition to our four Great Lakes! That’s a lot of lakes to jump into. Many of these lakes have public access where you can launch your speed boat, waverunner or canoe, and cool off from the heat of summer.
There are cottages galore on these lakes – some for rent – some owned by families for many generations – and even some to buy! Did you know there are more cottages for sale this year than in the past 10 years combined – and the prices are really affordable – so these Dog Days are good waterfront buying times also. Here’s a short list of the cottages for sale just in the Grand Rapids area
“It’s the Hard Knock Life” – Annie hits town at Circle Theater
July 14th, 2010
What a perfect song for the times.
Unemployment is running high – Jobs are scarce – there are loads of reasons to look at the darker side of life and kick around complaints you have no control over. Then Annie shows up with a positive attitude and a smile on her face – and the worries float away. It’s amazing what a little positive thinking can do to turn your life around.
Everyone really should get over to the Circle in the Park Theater on the Aquinas College Campus to catch this great production and get your positive adrenalin going. The cast is great – and I’m just a little proud of my niece – Sophie Bolen – who plays one of the orphans with such grace.
Every time I go to the Civic Theater or the Circle in the Park productions, all the fabulous talent in the Grand Rapids Area blows me away. The voices are wonderful, dancing is enchanting, and the production itself, from sets to costumes to lighting, is great. See it Wed – Sat through July 24 – you can call the box office at 616-456-6656 and order your tickets – but hurry – time is running out.
Get a little boost of positive thinking and put that “Hard Knock Life” on hold for a little while as you enjoy a great production.
4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks in the Grand Rapids area – 2010
June 28th, 2010
Don’t miss all the fun this year! Pay attention to the DATES that the parades, fireworks and all the festivities are planned for – some of the places are doing everything on Saturday the 3rd and others on Sunday the 4th.
Here is the list of 4th of July Celebrations in the Western Michigan/Grand Rapids area for 2010. These Celebrations are listed by location with the dates in red.
ADA/CASCADE, MICHIGAN
Downtown Ada – Corner of Thornapple River & Fulton SATURDAY, JULY 3
Dusk – Bring your chairs or blankets and sit anywhere around Ada with great views of the fireworks.
Both Ada and Cascade have separate Parades and fun stuff to do all day – all on July 3. Cascade has a great chance to interact in the Parade – build your own float and enter the Float Contest. There have been winners over the past 15 years in the Family & Neighborhood category or the Church/Business Category - win a really cool trophy and strut your stuff for the 4th of July.
ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN
Allegan Jubilee Independence Celebration www.alleganchamber.com
Fireworks at Dusk - On the Riverfront SATURDAY, JULY 3
ALLENDALE, MICHIGAN
Fireworks at 10:15 Allendale Township Park SATURDAY, JULY 3
Fun activities on Friday (5K, etc), Saturday, Sunday and Monday www.allendale-twp.org
CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN
Fireworks at dusk at Caledonia Lakeside Park SATURDAY, JULY 3
Parade at 10:30 – entertainment including a tractor pull all day www.villageofcaledonia.org
EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Fireworks at dusk at John Collins Park on Reeds Lake SUNDAY, JULY 4
12 -1 Parade; 1:30 – 2:30 Water Ski Show; All afternoon – entertainment & music
East Grand Rapids has a wonderful home town celebration!
GLEN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
I know – it’s about 2 1/2 hours North of Grand Rapids – but lots of folks leave the GR area and head North expecting to see
great fireworks displays – well STAY HOME this year. These fireworks have been CANCELLED due to safety issues – Bummer!
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN
Waterfront Stadium at the W end of Washington Street SUNDAY, JULY 4
Come and see the musical fountain (plenty of room in the bleachers – no charge!) at 9:45 then Fireworks
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Fireworks at 10:30pm at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in Downtown Grand Rapids SUNDAY, JULY 4
Music starting at 6:30 on the Banks of the Grand River in front of the Gerald R.Ford Museum
GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN
Fireworks – Grandville Middle School at Dusk MONDAY, JULY 5
Activities are strung out through this great long weekend – starting on the 2nd all the way through the 5th – Yeah!
KENTWOOD, MICHIGAN
Fireworks at the Kentwood City Center 4900 Breton SE; Dusk on SATURDAY, JULY 3
Start your day off with a Pancake Breakfast and fun festivities all day
Check out the Kentwood Parade and activities Information
Let us know if you know about any other Fireworks Displays that I don’t have on here! Happy 4th of July
ART…Art…art…It’s the 45th Reeds Lake Art Fair
June 18th, 2010
Make sure you head over to East Grand Rapids this Saturday the 19th of June to experience every tantalizing piece of this really cool art show. The 45th annual Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Fair will be in full swing.
It’s a juried event – which means the artists must submit their portfolios to the selection committee and only the best of the best artists are selected to display their art at this Fair. Over 500 artists applied and only 150 were selected – so you are really lucky to see such top quality all in one place.
You’ll see jewelry – photos – pottery – sculptures – glass – baskets – prints – paintings – and much more as you leisurely stroll through the festival. Don’t forget your check book or bank card – you not only are invited to look and to feel the excitement but also buy a cool piece of art!
…and the food – lots of great food booths and local restaurants nearby – Rose’s – Olives – Derby Station – where you can sit outside and people watch while you give your feet a break.
Give a big Hurrah! to my friend and client Robyn Bomhof – who is the president of the Grand Valley Artists, Inc. and was instrumental in putting this all together.
Brief history – I’ve been attending this art fair for years. It was named the clothesline art fair because it started on the lawn of John Collin’s Park on the banks of Reeds Lake and the art was hung on clotheslines. I remember well some very rainy art fair days where the mud was oozing under our feet and we still marched through it and bought some art. Never fear – times have changed and the art booths are set up on the streets(which are closed for the fair) – no more mud on your art.
Go have a great time and let me know what you bought – I’d love to hear about your experiences! Read the rest of this entry »
Don’t Miss This! Festival 2010 – is June 4,5,6 – Be There
June 3rd, 2010
It’s almost here … Festival of the Arts 2010 … 
we’re counting down the days!
Not to give away my age – but I was there (yes, a mere 40+ years ago) for the very first Festival of the Arts in downtown Grand Rapids. My husband, Bruce, was an art major at Calvin College and he and his classmates were volunteered into helping set up the art exhibits. Little did we realize when hanging up art with clothes pins and then picking up posters after a big wind and rain hit, it was the start of something so big! Did you know Alexander Calder designed the Logo and donated it to Festival??
My Top 3 Favorite Things to Do at Festival
1. EAT
Ok, that’s probably everyone’s top thing to do when they come downtown for Festival. My mouth is already watering for the goodies from all over the world. Booths are set up all over touting the very best from countries, regions and Americana – prepare to stand in line – and eat on the run while you head to the next food booth. No fair bringing wet naps – by the end of festival you should have some bar-b-q sauce on your shorts and strawberry stains on your T-shirt.
2. People Watching
I know – there is art, music, street dancers, ballet, food – but the entertainment is still with the folks who come to Festival. Grab a seat on the curb or a park bench – sip a lemonade – and watch the fun.
Toddlers mezmorized by the rock music…Teens in their outlandish outfits trying to outdo each other with wild hair (I know, I know – I’m sure “old folks” said the same about me when I was a Teen)… Elderly Folks shuffling with their canes with big smiles on their faces eating cotton candy – You’ll see it all.
3. Bethel Penecostal Choir – The Grand Finale of the Festival – 6:30pm Sunday
WOW! is all I can say - Go to Center Stage on Sunday for the grand finale of Festival 2010
Guarantee you’ll have goose bumps on your arms and chills will go down your spine as you listen to the Bethel Pentecostal Choir give a concert to beat them all.
The voices are clear and bright – the Calder sits behind the stage as a perfect backdrop to a phenominal concert. You do not want to miss it! I can’t remember a concert over the years where tears were not running down my cheeks with the pride and spirit of America welling up inside me.
Make sure you get to Festival – It’s your City and your Festival – Make it a good one! Let me know what part of Festival is your favorite.
Bloomin’ Gorgeous – Ottawa Hills Garden Tour in Full Bloom
May 31st, 2010
Check this out!
One of our most beautiful neighborhoods in Grand Rapids - Ottawa Hills – is having their annual Garden Tour on the 26th of June – just a few short weeks away – so get it on your calendar. The tour is open from 9 – 1 and is a self guided walking tour among the gardens of this lovely Southeast side area.
Ottawa Hills has a very active neighborhood association and they have plenty of plans for you this summer. Their annual Hollyhock Lane Parade on the 4th of July (actually the 3rd this year) always brings in lots of neighborhood kids – politicians – antique cars – and takes you back in time to a real old fashioned 4th Celebration. It’s early in the day – starts at 8:30am – so it’s a great way to start your day before heading off to the beach. This is the oldest running Parade in Michigan – so you get a little bit of history along with your 4th celebration by attending.
If you have a community event you might like featured – shoot me an email or respond here and tell us all about it.
Top 3 Things I like about Mother’s Day
May 9th, 2010
Ok – It’s Mother’s Day! It comes once a year – so, at least once a year you need to stay in touch with your Mother. Now, she might not be with you anymore – so, a silent prayer of thanks for her will make your heart feel good; or she might be far away, and a phone call, email, card or flowers will make her feel great; or she might be in your own back yard – and a heartfelt thanks is perfect!
Why I like Mother’s Day:
1. Togetherness
It brings us all together in unison as a family for one reason only – to honor our Mother. The history of Mother’s Day is pretty interesting and really shows what the mothers before us went through in life. My Mother is certainly my hero. She is 89 years old – grew up in a poor small town during the depression (White Cloud, Michigan) and those years shaped her life and eventually mine. Ginny Thomasma – Hurrah!
2. Focus
In this crazy fast-paced world it’s refreshing to focus on our family for at least one day out of the year. Mothers are the heart of most families and are usually the driving force for the direction in which those familes go. Each day we should be thankful for someone who loves us for who we are – encourages us through thick and thin – laughs at our jokes, however lame they might be – and puts a smile on our faces.
3. Fun, Crazy and Unique Gifts
I do think the teachers in pre-school and elementary stay up to the wee hours (perhaps drinking heavily) figuring out what they can do “this year” as a unique gift for their kids to make for their Mothers. Over the years I’ve received – stories, plants (beleagured sprouts in a paper cup), paintings, clay objects (don’t quite know what they are??) – but all done with love and excitement. …and I still have them! Don’t forget the Wacky Gifts that some Dads help the kids pick out – I’ve gotten my share and most often appreciate the smiles and cheers that go with them.
…and there is breakfast in bed made by the kids…Priceless. I think I still have jam stains and toast crumbs after many years.
My favorite “Mother’s Day” Story is about my daughter – Jesi ( now a mother herself) – and in grade school every year the 2nd grade put on a “Mother’s Day Tea” and the 2nd graders all sang a wonderful song about mothers. I got a call from the music teacher a few days before the tea letting me know that they had to change the song for the tea due to Jesi. The original song was all about “Mothers baking cookies” and while learning the song Jesi raised her hand and said “My mom doesn’t bake cookies – my dad does – so why are we singing this song?”
She was right – during those days I was holding open houses pretty regularly on Sunday afternoons and their dad loved chocolate chip cookies (he especially liked eating the dough) and their Sunday afternoon adventures were almost always made up of trying out various chocolate chip cookie receipes.
The tea went on as planned and not a mention of Mom’s baking cookes was heard!
Let me know some of your favorite Mother’s Day stories – and Happy Mother’s Day!
Come on out for the River Bank Run…. Grand Rapids’ Premiere Spring Event
May 4th, 2010
Ok – I ran once. I even did a 5K (came in 3rd in my age group and got a medal! Don’t listen to the gossip there were only 3 in my age group). But the RiverBank Run is something else – no matter if you are a seasoned runner or a newbie or don’t ever want to run a step – this is the place to be on Saturday the 8th of May.
So – you need to get up early – the 5K starts at 7:30 am (daughter Leah is running in it – her kids and husband will be cheering her on by the Gerald Ford Museum). The 10K starts at 8:00, the Handcycle starts at 8:10, the Wheelchair Start is at 8:12 and the Grand Daddy of them all – the 25 K starts at 8:20 (Guy’s daughter Erin is running for her 6th time!! Yeah!). Everyone can participate in the 5K Community Walk which starts at 8:45.
For those of you who have never experienced this – YOU NEED TO! There is so much excitement building up to this. It is so cool to see all of these folks from all over the world here in our City running for the prize.
I came down and saw the first ever River Bank Run 33 years ago. It sounded interesting – there really weren’t many people downtown for the event – the finish line was under the Calder Stabile on Calder Plaza. I still remember the chills up my spine when we looked down Monroe Ave and saw the lead runner all alone running down the middle of the street – as he was coming in for the win of the first River Bank Run.
Over the years, I have come down on and off. I’ve walked the 5K. I’ve cheered on Guy, Ben and Betty who ran the 5K, I’ve cheered on Erin as she has beautifully run this race. I’ve seen Greg Meyer run the race. I’ve gone down to the American Bakery (yikes! about the fire this week) to get donuts to eat while waiting to see the runners on Lake Michigan Drive. Ok-Ok – I know, everyone is healthy and running and Guy and I are eating donuts and coffee???
Anyway – come to downtown Grand Rapids this weekend and immerse yourself in the excitement and hoop-la of the Fifth Third River Bank Run. Share some stories with us on your fun experiences in the past or what your plans are for the weekend. I hear it might be a bit cold so wear your ear muffs.
Rose’s Restaurant – Grand Rapids Waterfront Dining
April 30th, 2010
What a great way to spend a spring evening – overlooking Reeds Lake in the middle of East Grand Rapids. Birds singing, water lapping on the shore, ducks swimming quietly, a full moon coming up over the lake…what could be more charming than an anniversary dinner (yes, Guy and I are celebrating our 4th anniversary) at Rose’s in East Grand Rapids? Take a look.
As a kid growing up in Grand Rapids, I came here when it was Ramona Park – a fabulous amusement park located in the heart of what is now East Grand Rapids. I still remember my dad taking me to ride the roller coaster (old wooden rickety one) one last time before they tore the park down.
While in college, one of our favorite hang-outs was Rose’s Hot Dog stand – right in the same building that now has this sophisticated restaurant. We would come over from Calvin College at noon, walk around the park in East Grand Rapids and then have a hot dog and some carmel corn (home made) at Rose’s. There were picnic table on the back porch of the restaurant – right where the deck is now.
What is really cool is carmel corn still plays a major part in this place - above the fireplace in the main dining room is the brass carmel corn kettle used in the original Rose’s. When your bill comes, there are two little cups of carmel corn – to sweeten you up, I’m sure – homemade at Roses.
For me – it’s nostalgia. For you – come take a look at the pictures of the old Ramona Park on the walls – taste the great food (we split the walleye and it was Fantastic) and get into the spirit. Rose’s is the place to be on a warm spring evening!
It’s A Circus Out Here In Grand Rapids – Seriously!
March 7th, 2010
The Circus Is Coming To A Town Near You
Some of my fondest memories are probably somewhat shaded by time but are very special about the Shrine Circus. As a native of Grand Rapids, I remember going to the circus in the Civic Auditorium (now only the Art Deco Main Entrance is left in tact) which is now the DeVos Convention Center.
In troubled times with the unemployment rate higher than a tightrope and with the financial sector looking a lot like a three ring circus itself – it’s time to relax and spend a little time with family and friends at the circus. It’s coming to Grand Rapids on March 11, 12 adn 13 at the Delta Plex in North West Grand Rapids. Check out ticket purchases by clicking here.
It is not very often that kids can see live performances instead of video and audio recordings that take so much of the personality out of entertainment. It is also a stretch to think you can see a dancing elephant or a tiger walking on it’s hind legs or a trapeze artist soaring from hand to hand high above the ground in everyday Grand Rapids.
It’s live – It’s fun – It’s educational – It’s a diversion from real life right now.
I can still remember going to the circus with my Aunt and Uncle and watching the beautiful trapeze artists dressed in shimmery pink butterfuly outfits actually flying from trapeze to trapeze – seemly without a care in the world. We were seated in the top rows of the Civic Auditorium and these lithe athletes were at eye level – with the music and the lighting – it took me away from reality to a place of make-believe.
Every once in a while we need to take a step back and re-energize. It is said that “Laughter is the best medicine” so heading where there are a bunch of clowns (other than at your family reunion) can only put a positive spin on your attitude.
If you have been to the circus, let us know what you thought about it. What was your favorite part? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below.
